Orioles 5, Marlins 4

Spring Training : Vero Beach, Fla.

March 28, 2004|By Roch Kubatko

Catcher Javy Lopez hit his second home run in two games, left-hander Erik Bedard threw six scoreless innings and the Orioles beat the Florida Marlins, 5-4, last night in a game that was delayed one hour because an electrical glitch kept the stadium lights off.

Bedard was responsible for the other power outage, holding the Marlins to two hits and retiring the last 13 batters he faced.

"At first, I was a little anxious to get it going," said Bedard (21 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings this spring). "I just tried to keep my composure."

Bedard, who lowered his ERA to 2.04, stranded two runners in the second, then struck out the side in the third. He was given a 2-0 lead against Josh Beckett on consecutive singles by David Segui, Larry Bigbie and Luis Matos, and a Brian Roberts groundout.

Beckett, last year's World Series Most Valuable Player, continued to struggle in the fourth. Lopez made it 4-0 with a two-run homer.

A two-out walk to Segui in the fifth loaded the bases and ended Beckett's night.

WHO'S HOT

Erik Bedard

If he gets sent to Triple-A Ottawa, he won't stay there long. Pity every International League hitter who faces him.

Luis Matos

Don't judge his importance to the offense by where he's batting. Somebody has to be the best No. 9 hitter in baseball.

Javy Lopez

Two homers in two games. Get used to it.

WHO'S NOT

Melvin Mora

Stranded a runner in the third, hit into a force with the bases loaded in the fourth.

Buddy Groom

Allowed an inherited runner to score and two of his own. A long night almost got a whole lot longer.

INJURY REPORT

Second baseman Jerry Hairston will work out in Arizona before returning to Baltimore for another hand examination Friday. Hairston could be out until mid-May because of a fractured knuckle on his right ring finger.

ARMS RACE

Bedard was spectacular, retiring 15 of the last 16 batters and not allowing a hit after the second. He has given up one earned run in his last 11 innings, and it's getting harder to imagine him in a Triple-A uniform. Rodrigo Lopez starts today against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie. Kurt Ainsworth and Eric DuBose pitch in a minor league game in Sarasota.